Jersey Devil as rendered on "MonsterQuest"
Jersey Devil as rendered on "MonsterQuest" - © History Channel
The Jersey Devil is believed to live deep in the untouched forests of the million-acre Pine Barrens region of southern New Jersey. A recognized figure for centuries, it is even the namesake of the state's professional hockey team.
Vital Stats
Descriptions of the Jersey Devil have varied over the years, from a winged half-bird, half-horse standing upright on hoofed feet, with a reptilian tail to a hairy cross between a monkey and a dog, walking on all fours. It is generally agreed to be some three to six feet in length.
Behavior
The winged, nocturnal creature is apparently unafraid of attacking humans. A number of reports have described it perching in trees and rampaging through woods, usually emitting high-pitched screams.
History
Written descriptions of Jersey Devil date back to colonial times. According to legend, a Pine Barrens woman named Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child in 1735; instead of a baby, a menacing bat-like creature with a serpentine tail emerged, possibly due to a curse put on the family. Many famous sightings date to 1909, when over one week thousands of people reported seeing the creature throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Recent Sightings
More than 200 sightings of the Jersey Devil have been reported in the last 20 years, mostly in the Pine Barrens. In the summer of 2008, a strange creature bearing a resemblance to the Jersey Devil was discovered on a beach in Montauk, New York, 175 miles northeast of the Pine Barrens. Rumors later attributed the creature to man-made experiments at a nearby government laboratory or a shell-less turtle, though its true identity remains unknown.
Relatives
Some have tried to attribute sightings of the Jersey Devil to the great horned owl, a species common to the area. The owl has ear tufts that could resemble horns, a wingspan of more than five feet, and has been known to attack humans. Though descriptions of the Devil resemble the African Hammer Headed bat, which can have a wingspan of up to three feet and is even known to attack chickens, experts say that even if an African bat did manage to find its way to New Jersey, it would be difficult for it to survive in the colder climate.